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Mathew Masinge
A HARARE man will now spend 35 years in prison for the murder of his father-in-law after accussing him of mistreating his children.
Soul Mubau (29) was convicted of the murder. He had accused his wife’s father (63) of not sending his children to school for a whole year. In his anger, Mubau stormed his father-in-law’s compound in Chaitezvi Village, Goromonzi, demanding the release of the children.
The State said Mubau flew into a rage, punched the deceased, knocked him off the ground, strangled him while sitting on his belly with his knees pinning the old man’s arms down before pounding his head with an iron bar.
After the vicious attack, the deceased suffered multiple fractures on his head, ribs, and arm while Mubau escaped from the scene and came back to Harare.
In his defence, Mubau blamed his actions on mental insanity caused by his rage.
In his finding, High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi said the murder was perpetrated with violence.
The judge also found out that Mubau lied to the court that he acted in self-defence.
“On the other hand, we note that the offender displayed a lack of remorse and a willingness to evade justice at any cost when he raised spurious defences throughout the trial thereby revealing his untruthful nature.
“Finally, the African culture dictates that a son-in-law should show respect to his wife’s father, regardless of any differences they may have.
“A son-in-law cannot engage in confrontations with his wife’s father under any circumstances,” reads Justice Mutevedzi’s finding.
The judge also expressed his disapproval of violent crimes.
“It is for those reasons that we considered that the offender be and is hereby sentenced to thirty-five (35) years imprisonment,” reads the judgment.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter